The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-08-10
SOME HAWAIIAN HISTORY
IT SHOWS THE EMPTINESS OF Glib
SONS TALK.
The United States Has Twice Refused
To Assume a Protectorate Over the
Little Pacific Kingdom.
Fhopl "a Nele York Nelrs.

this morning, remarked q gentleman Wen
acquainted with Hawaiian affairs, yester-
day, ''that Walter Murray Gibson, the ex-
Premier, hints mysteriously that the United
States government has designs on the
islands l believe he also said that this
government would not take kindly to the
recent changes in the little soa-girt king
dom This last statement, [ think, is influ-
enced solely by personal reasons. So far as
the designs of the United States government
on Hawaii are concerned there is no need
for mystery; they are apparent and easily
accounted for.
''In the first place, the Hawaiian Islands
are situated nearly in the centre of the Pa
cific, and therefore would mako an excellent
coaling and supply station for Pacific naval
pean powers, who have now only the
Asiatic coast to depend upon in that respect
Even there the privilege hangs upon the
slim thread of international friendship. In
case of war with ASatic countries the base
of supplies would be removed tn remote and
announcement stations. The European pow
ers, particularly England and Germany,
We're not slow in perceiving the advantages
the islands would afford, and as far back as
1850, long before the United States govern
ment dreamed of interesting itself In that
di-ection, these powers sought to gain
foothold on the islands
Various circumstances intarfored with
these schemes of annexation until about
fifteen years ago, when the fight for posses
sion began in downright earnest The sugar
industry of Hawaii began to attract atten-
ton abCIt that time, and Germany sent
out large numbers Of laborcrs to work on
the plantations. This was clearly for the
purpose of establishing German interests
in the kingdom, to AFFORD pretext for de
cisive action should any slight difficulty
occur between the lab0rcrs and planters
The convenient proximity of the islands to
the United States, however, proved a ma
tural and simple bar TO Germany's project
of colonization. With the development of
the sugar industry came an influx of
American capitalists and artisans that soon
overwhelmed, in numbers and monetary in
vestments, all other foreign clements Ger
many then wisely drew out of the struggle
England, however, was blind 10 all but
her own interests which ranked next TO
those of the United States in q commercial
point of view With the death of King
LunalIlo the throne became vacant, as there
were no direct heirs The election of new
ruler w9s, of course, necessary. Kalakaua
and Queen Emma, widow of Kamehamena
", were the only available candidat,s
Kalakaua favored the American interests,
because he saw the commercial advantage
OF friendly relations with the nearest for
eign power. Queen Emma, however, was
susceptible to the flattering advances of the
English residents, who had fOreseen lust
such an opportunity and had been preparing
for it. Thinking that Queen Emma was the
most popular with the natives, and there
fore more likely to be elected sovereign in
the event of King Lunalilos death, they
brought their intlusnce TO bear upon her TO
such degree that she upheld British inter-
eSls to the O. ClusiUn OF all others.
well, week or two prior 10 the day an
nounced for the election two English men-
ot-war arrived in port, and had il not be on
for the timely arrival Of the United States
steamer Portsmouth and the prompt action
Cf Commander Belknnp the result of the
riot which followed King Kalakau's election
70 the throne would have been far different.
The English naval forces took no part in
quelling the disturbance, and when the riot
ing was fiercest the officers of the two Brit
lsh vessels were consulting with Queen
Emma at her residence on Beretania brit
I'm street. That attempt proved failure.
owing TO the determined stand taken by
Commander Belknap, but nearly three wears
later the Admiral of the British fleet per-
formed q coup that for boldneSs has not
since been equaled.
Taking advantage of an opportunity
when there We're no United States vessels
in those waters, he sailed into the harbor of
Honolulu, with colors flying, hauled down
the Hawaiian flag, and annexed the islands
in the name of his Queen Measures were
at once taken to establish the position which
had been assumed by the English govern
ment, and for two months or more the royal
cross of st. George floated from the Kings
palace and Aluolani Halle There had not
been even the pretense OF an excuse for this
breach Of international comfy, and natives
and foreign residents alike were indignant
over the outrage.
News of the affair was sent as soon as
possible tosthe United States government
Admiral Porter, who commanded the Pa
cific squadron of the United States naval
forces, was in Peruvian waters at the time,
but as soon as he received word of the an
nexation he set sail immediately for Homo
lulu without waiting for orders from Wash
ington. About two months after the British
exploit Admiral Porter arrived at Honolulu
and compelled the British Admiral TO haul
down the English flag and beat hasty and
undignihed retreat under penalty of an i'm
mediate naval engagement. The Hawaiian
colors were then hoisted amid great reioic
ings and the reins of the government were
restored to the King. The United States
government promptly approved Admiral
Pc, ter's action, and from that day forward
took an enlarged interest in Hawaiian af-
fairs. The treaty of reciprocity followed.
but that wasn't enough The annexation
incident was too forcible reminder of the
advantages of the island to be overlooked.
On two different occasions as | know
from the records of the Hawaiian Foreign
Office which have seen, the Hawaiian GOV
eminent offered the United States a pro-ec-
torate over the islands. Not caring to as
sumo the responsibilities of such a position
the United States government declined both
offers, but began negotiations for the estah-
lishment of coaling, supply, aud repair
station on the island of Oahu, near Homo
lulu. The result of these negotiations was
the Pearl river harbor bill, which was pre-
sented TO Congress last year and placed on
file. Among the arguments advanced in
favor OF the bill was the need of station
more convenient to the vessels of the Pacific
squadron. As il is now San Francisco is
the nearest point for them, and for the ships
stationed in Asiatic waters 1t is altogether
too far for them to 60 for repairs and pro
visions The islands would be central and
convenient location for all Then, too, the
entire Pacific coast is wholly unprotected in
the way of Notifications, and this makes
the necessity Of strong naval protection
very apparent
This | believe, includes the sum and sub
stance Of the designs of the United States
upon the Hawaiian Islands. Now for Glib
son and his assertion of our displeasure at
the change Of Kalakaua's Cabinet. Glib
sons influence over tho King was para
mount ut all times, and he was enough OF a
Eslaa Nalr - a